U.S. patent number 7,340,970 [Application Number 10/742,476] was granted by the patent office on 2008-03-11 for method and device for isolating, collecting and transferring hazardous samples.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Pitney Bowes Inc.. Invention is credited to John E. Massucci, Douglas B. Quine, Denis J. Stemmle, Deborra J. Zukowski.
United States Patent |
7,340,970 |
Quine , et al. |
March 11, 2008 |
Method and device for isolating, collecting and transferring
hazardous samples
Abstract
A method and system for isolating, transferring and testing
potentially contaminated mail pieces. The mail pieces are
encapsulated in a sealed package at one location and transferred to
another location for testing. During testing, the sealed package is
connected to an air sampling system, which directly draws an air
sample from the sealed package. At the end of testing, the air
pressure in the sealed package is sufficiently reduced, causing the
sealed bag to collapse. A septum or a tube with a self-sealed
coupler is provided on the sealed package to allow the air sampling
system to draw air out of the sealed package. When the air sampling
system is not connected to the sealed package, the septum or the
self-sealed coupler prevents the air inside the sealed package from
escaping into the environment. It is advantageous to disturb the
mail pieces during air sampling.
Inventors: |
Quine; Douglas B. (Bethel,
CT), Stemmle; Denis J. (Stratford, CT), Massucci; John
E. (Eastchester, NY), Zukowski; Deborra J. (Newtown,
CT) |
Assignee: |
Pitney Bowes Inc. (Stamford,
CT)
|
Family
ID: |
34523252 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/742,476 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050136540 A1 |
Jun 23, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
73/864.74;
73/31.03 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01N
1/22 (20130101); G01N 1/2226 (20130101); G01N
1/24 (20130101); A47G 2029/1221 (20130101); G01N
35/1079 (20130101); G01N 2001/025 (20130101); G01N
2001/2241 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01N
1/24 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;73/864.74,31.03 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0429396 |
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May 1991 |
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EP |
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1366696 |
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Mar 2003 |
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EP |
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1067166 |
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May 1967 |
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GB |
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2303111 |
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Feb 1997 |
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GB |
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03/054778 |
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Jul 2003 |
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WO |
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03/058207 |
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Jul 2003 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Williams; Hezron
Assistant Examiner: West; Paul M
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Macdonald; George M. Chaclas;
Angelo N.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of testing items carrying particles that may be
contaminants, comprising: sealing the items in a package containing
a gas; and checking for the contaminants while keeping the package
substantially sealed, wherein said checking comprises collecting a
gas sample from the package through a filter for trapping on the
filter at least part of the particles in the gas sample; wherein
the filter is disposed in a filter chamber having a first air
passageway and a second air passageway, the first passageway
operatively connected to a gas outlet on the package, the second
passageway operatively connected to an air pump to draw the gas
sample from the outlet through the first passageway, the filter
chamber and the second passageway; and wherein the package
comprises a self-sealable member disposed thereon, and the first
passageway is securely connected to a needle for piercing the
self-sealable member in order to provide the gas outlet.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the package is made of a flexible
material so that the package becomes substantially collapsed during
said collecting.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the self-sealable member
substantially prevents air from leaking into the collapsed package
so as to keep the collapsed package substantially the same after
said collecting.
4. A method of testing items carrying particles that may be
contaminants, comprising: sealing the items in a package containing
a gas; and checking for the contaminants while keeping the package
substantially sealed, wherein said checking comprises collecting a
gas sample from the package through a filter for trapping on the
filter at least part of the particles in the gas sample; wherein
the filter is disposed in a filter chamber having a first air
passageway and a second air passageway, the first passageway
operatively connected to a gas outlet on the package, the second
passageway operatively connected to an air pump to draw the gas
sample from the outlet through the first passageway, the filter
chamber and the second passageway; and wherein the package
comprises a tube having a first end extended into the package and a
second end connected to a self-sealable coupler, and wherein the
first passageway is securely connected to a further coupler, so as
to provide the gas outlet by engaging the further coupler to the
self-sealable coupler.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein said sealing is carried at one
location and said checking is carried out at another location.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein said sealing and checking is
carried out at substantially the same location.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein said collecting is carried out at
one location, further comprising transferring the filter chamber to
another location for determining the contaminants from the
particles trapped on the filter.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the first end of the tube is
inserted into at least one of the items for collecting the gas
sample from said one of the items.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the package contains a cutting
member inside the package for opening a part of said one of the
items, so as to allow the first end of the tube to be inserted into
the opening for said collecting.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the further coupler is also
self-sealable.
11. The method of claim 4, wherein the package is made of a clear
material, said checking comprising visually inspecting an inner
surface of the package.
12. The method of claim 4, wherein the package is made of an
anti-static material so as to reduce the amount of the particles
sticking on the package.
13. The method of claim 4, further comprising agitating the items
to cause at least part of the particles carried in the items to
move into the gas in the package.
14. The method of claim 4, wherein the items comprise mail
pieces.
15. The method of claim 4, wherein, said sealing further includes
sealing a container containing the items in the package containing
the gas; and the items occupy less than half the volume of the
sealed package.
16. The method of claim 4, further comprising retaining the items
in the sealed package until after results of said checking step are
complete.
17. The method of claim 4, wherein the items in the package are
contained in a tray, said method further comprising agitating the
items along with the tray to cause at least part of the particles
carried by the items or the tray to move into the gas in the
package.
18. The method of claim 4, wherein the gas comprises air.
19. The method of claim 4, wherein the package is made of a
flexible material so that the package becomes substantially
collapsed during said collecting.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the self-sealable coupler
substantially prevents air from leaking into the collapsed package
so as to keep the collapsed package substantially the same after
said collecting.
21. A system for testing items carrying particles that may be
contaminants, wherein the items are sealed in a container
containing a gas, the container having a self-sealable air outlet,
said system comprising: a gas drawing device; a device for
operating on the gas drawn, and a first air passageway and a second
air passageway, wherein the first passageway is operatively
connected to the gas drawing device, and a second air passageway
connected to the air outlet so as to draw an gas sample from the
sealed container through the air outlet, the first passageway and
the device for operating on the drawn gas; wherein the container is
a bag made of a flexible material so that the sealed container
becomes substantially collapsed when the air pump draws the gas
sample from the sealed bag.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the device for operating on the
gas drawn comprises a filter chamber having an air filter.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the device for operating on the
gas drawn comprises an instrument for analyzing at least one of the
gas and any particles suspended in the gas.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the items comprise mail
pieces.
25. The system of claim 21, further comprising a mechanism,
disposed in relation to the sealed container, for agitating the
items while the gas is being drawn.
26. The system of claim 21, wherein the items are contained by a
further container, said further container being sealed in the
container along with the items.
Description
CROSS REFERENCES
The present application is related to commonly owned, co-pending
U.S. Patent Application entitled "Method And System For Isolating
And Testing Biological Contaminants In Mail Packages" Ser. No.
10/742,106 in the names of Douglas B. Quine and Denis J. Stemmle,
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The present application is related to commonly owned, co-pending
U.S. Patent Application entitled "Method And Device For Collecting
And Transferring Biohazard Samples" Ser. No. 10/741,264 in the
names of Douglas B. Quine, Ashwani Sharma, and John E. Massucci
which is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to biohazard detection and,
more particularly, to the isolation, collection and transferring of
a biohazard sample trapped in a filter of a detection system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In late 2001, several United States postal offices and other
buildings were contaminated with Bacillus anthracis spores
(anthrax) along the eastern United States, resulting in anthrax
infection and death among several individuals. This incident was
quite costly, not only in terms of the health-related impact, but
also in the required decontamination efforts. Cleanup following the
anthrax contamination proved to be difficult, labor intensive, and
expensive. As this threat still exists, there is a need to detect
biological contaminants within the postal packages or other
containers. Similar attacks through the mail system are possible
using other hazardous substances such as nerve or blistering
agents, or any other substance which can harm any person who
handles the contaminated mail piece.
Detection of biohazards in the mail for culture or polymerase chain
reaction (PCR) analysis requires collection of a sample. Similar
detection technologies for other harmful contaminants also require
collection of samples. Currently, when mail is suspected of
carrying biological contaminants such as anthrax, the mail is put
in a bag and carried to a testing facility. At the testing
facility, the bag is opened in a chemical hood, and the mail is
taken out of the bag. A wet cotton swab or the like is used to take
a sample of the suspected contaminants from the mail for testing.
Wet cotton swabs may cause damage to the forensic evidence by
matting dry powders or causing ink to run. The mail is then bagged
for safekeeping or further processing. As such, part of the
suspected contaminants will be lost in the chemical hood and
contaminate the equipment disposed therein. Furthermore, the mail
is required to be bagged more than once.
Thus, it is advantageous and desirable to provide a safer method
and system for containing the mail and collecting the suspected
biological contaminants on the mail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for isolating,
transferring and testing particles that may be biological or other
hazardous contaminants carried by a mail piece or a mail tray.
The mail pieces, along with the mail tray, are encapsulated in a
sealed package at one location and transferred to another location
for testing so as to minimize the contamination at the testing
location and any other location through which the mail passes. The
sealed package is connected to an air sampling system, which
directly draws an air sample from the sealed package through a
filter chamber so that particles suspected to be biological or
other hazardous contaminants are trapped on a filter in the filter
chamber. The container that is used to encapsulate the mail pieces
may be transparent so as to allow visual inspection of the sealed
package. The container may be flexible so that it may collapse
during or at the end the sample collection process. A tube with a
self-sealed coupler is provided on the sealed package to allow the
air sampling system to draw air out of the sealed package. When the
air sampling system is not connected to the sealed package, the
self-sealed coupler prevents the air inside the sealed package from
escaping into the environment. The mail pieces and the mail tray in
the sealed packages are manually or mechanically disturbed before
or during air sampling so as to dislodge the particles carried by
the mail pieces or the mail tray.
The present invention will become apparent upon reading the
description taken in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 9.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation illustrating the method and
system for isolating and transferring suspected contaminated
samples, according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation illustrating the method and
system for collecting suspected contaminated samples, according to
the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation illustrating another method
and system for collecting suspected contaminated samples, according
to the present invention.
FIG. 4a is a schematic representation illustrating a septum on the
sealed package being engaged with a sample collecting tube.
FIG. 4b is a schematic representation illustrating the septum on
the sealed package being disengaged from the sample collecting
tube.
FIG. 5a is a schematic representation illustrating a tube extended
from the sealed package being engaged with the sample collecting
tube.
FIG. 5b is a schematic representation illustrating the tube from
the sealed container being disengaged from the sample collecting
tube.
FIG. 6a is a schematic representation illustrating a collapsed,
sealed container having a septum disposed thereon.
FIG. 6b is a schematic representation illustrating a collapsed,
sealed container having a tube extended therefrom.
FIG. 7 is a schematic representation illustrating a glove bag used
as a container for encapsulating mail pieces in a mail tray.
FIG. 8 is a schematic representation illustrating the method and
system of testing suspected contaminated samples directly from a
sealed container.
FIG. 9 is a schematic representation illustrating a filter chamber
being safely transported to a remote location for testing the
possible contaminants trapped in the filter chamber.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention uses a dry filter collection assembly to
collect the suspected biological or other hazardous contaminants
from a sealed container containing one or more mail pieces.
According to the present invention, the container is sealed at one
location and the suspected biological contaminants are tested at
the same location or at another location. As shown in FIG. 1, a
mail-tray 10 containing mail pieces 5 that may be contaminated with
biological or other hazardous contaminants is encapsulated in a
flexible bag 30 at a location 100. The sealed package 50 may then
be transported to a different location 200 for testing. For
example, location 200 can be a building that has a window 210 to
accept the sealed package 50. Through a conveyor belt or the like,
the sealed package 50 is transferred to a jogger 310 in a
collecting station 300. The sealed package 50 may contain air or a
gas, such as nitrogen. In order to reduce the possibility that the
biological or other hazardous contaminants will contaminate the
outside of the bag 30, it is possible to clean the outside of the
bag 30 with an appropriate cleaning agent, or to put the mail tray
10 in a double nested bag. Prior to transferring the mail tray into
the building, the outer bag can be removed and properly discarded.
Alternatively, once the mail is put in the sealed container at
location 100, it may be transported by any means for any distance
to testing location 200 without risking contamination of facilities
or personnel along the route of transit.
As shown in FIG. 2, the sealed package 50 has a tube 40 to allow a
sample collection system 60 to collect the suspected hazardous
contaminants from the sealed package 50. One end of the tube 40 has
an open inlet 42, which is shaped like a "T" or has a number of
orifices so that there are multiple sub-inlets to prevent blockage
of air flow in the event that the end of the inlet touches the
inner walls of the bag 30. The other end of the tube 40 has coupler
44. The air sample collection system 60 comprises a filter chamber
66 having an air filter 68. The filter can be wet or dry. One end
of the filter chamber 66 is connected to a first air passageway 61,
which is securely affixed to a coupler 62. The other end of the
filter chamber 66 is connected to a second air passageway 63, which
is securely affixed to a coupler 64. The coupler 62 is different
from the coupler 64. For example, only the coupler 62 on the filter
chamber 66 can be operatively engaged with the coupler 44 on the
tube 40. The coupler 64 is operatively connected to an air pump 90
through a coupler 92 so as to allow air to be drawn out of the
interior 22 of the bag 30 through the filter chamber 66. It is
important that the couplers 44, 62, 64 and 92 are self-sealed such
that each of the couplers is closed when it is not engaged with
another coupler. It should be noted that the pores on the filter 68
should be small enough to trap suspected contaminants. For example,
the filter 68 is a HEPA filter. In order to reduce or eliminate the
possibility that the suspected hazardous contaminants contaminate
the surrounding, it is advantageous to use another fine air filter
94, such as HEPA, in the air pump 90. Prior to or during the sample
collection process, it is advantageous to disturb the mail pieces
in the sealed package 50 so as to cause the suspected contaminants
attached to the mail pieces or the mail tray to be dislodged and
aerosolized. For example, the mail pieces in the sealed package 50
can be manually disturbed or disturbed by the vibration of the
jogger 310. It is advantageous to install a flow gauge 80 in the
air passageway 63 to provide visual confirmation that the air
passageways 61, 63, the tube 40 or the air inlet 42 is not blocked.
It is possible that the air pump 90 provides an audible change in
pitch and volume when the airflow is impeded. Such pitch or sound
volume change warns the operator to look for problems.
Alternately, an instrument for direct analysis of the air stream
and any particles suspended in it may be substituted for or
combined with the air sample collection system 60 comprising filter
chamber 66 having an air filter 68, as shown in FIG. 8.
Alternatively, instead of having a tube 40 on the bag 30 to allow
air within the sealed package 50 to be drawn out for testing, it is
possible to put a septum 34 on the bag 30, as shown in FIG. 3.
Instead of using a filter chamber 66 that has a coupler 62, it is
possible to use a filter chamber 76 that has a needle 72 for
reaching into the interior 22 of the sealed package 50 through the
septum 34. As with the filter chamber 66, the filter chamber 76
also has an air filter 78 to trap the suspected contaminants. The
filter chamber 76 also has a first air passageway 71 on one end and
a second passageway 73 on the other end. The second passage way 73
is securely affixed to a self-sealed coupler 74, which can be
operatively engaged with the coupler 92 of the air pump 90.
It is advantageous to have a clear filter chamber 66 or 76 to allow
visual confirmation of the replacement of filter 68 or 78 within
the filter chamber.
It should be noted that the septum 34 is a self-sealed material
such that it allows the needle 72 to reach into the bag 30 to draw
an air sample therefrom, as shown in FIG. 4a. But when the needle
72 is pulled off from the septum 34, the septum 34 is effectively
closed off to prevent air inside the bag 30 from leaking out, as
shown in FIG. 4b. Likewise, the couplers 62 and 44 are also
self-sealed. When the coupler 44 and coupler 62 are operatively
engaged with each other, air is allowed to be drawn into the
passageway 61 via the tube 40 and the couplers 44 and 62, as shown
in FIG. 5a. When the coupler 44 and coupler 62 are disengaged from
each other, each of the couples 44 and 62 is closed (marked with an
"X"), as shown in FIG. 5b.
Advantageously, the bag 30 is made of a soft and flexible material
and the air pressure in the sealed package 50 is close to ambient
pressure during sampling. When air is removed from the sealed
package 50 during the collection procedure, the bag 30 will
collapse and the air pressure inside the collapsed package 50' is
lower than ambient. As such, any leaks or improper seals will cause
air leakage into the bag 30, not venting into the environment.
Furthermore, the collapsed sealed package 50' is less likely to be
accidentally punctured. Due to the self-sealing nature of the
septum 34 and the coupler 44, air exchange between the exterior and
interior of the sealed package 50' is prevented.
It will be evident to anyone skilled in the art, that numerous
alternate types of containers can similarly be used advantageously
within the system described above. One alternative container is a
sealable box having flexible sides. When sample air is withdrawn
from the box, the sides flex and a lower than ambient air pressure
occurs inside the sealed container. Another alternative is a rigid
box which further includes a one way air inlet valve which allows
air to enter as the sample is being withdrawn.
It is advantageous that the container material is anti-static so
that the suspected biohazard particles in the container, once
aerosolized, stay in the air instead of becoming attached to the
surface of the container. In another embodiment, the items to be
tested occupy less than half the volume of the sealed package so as
to allow a relatively large volume of air for sample collection and
testing. Such sample collection is made at six liters per minute
without significant backpressure. A majority of the extra open air
space is preferably located above the open container that holds the
items to be tested, but could be located on the side of the sealed
package.
It should be appreciated that taking an air sample from a sealed
package 50 only through the tube 40 or the septum 34 will allow
some of the remaining suspected hazardous material to remain within
the sealed package. If it is necessary to take additional or
extended samples, it is possible to introduce air into the
collapsed sealed package through the tube 40 or the septum 34.
After connecting the air sampling system 60 to this re-inflated
sealed package, the mail pieces in the sealed package can be
disturbed again in order to increase the concentration of the
suspected hazardous particles in the air. In contrast, if a sealed
package is opened in a safety chemical hood in order to collect a
sample of the contaminants, substantial amount of the suspected
hazardous particles may be lost in the air. As such, the
concentration of the suspected contaminants on the mail pieces or
in the bag will be reduced.
In order to increase the efficiency of contaminant collection, it
is possible to use a glove bag as shown in FIG. 7. As shown, the
bag 30' has one or two gloves 150 to allow an operator to access
the mail pieces 5 inside the bag 30' through the gloves. A
collection probe 46, which is securely attached to the tube 40, can
be inserted into an envelope or mail piece to directly collect air
and powder samples from inside the envelope. A sharp edge 56 can be
provided inside the sealed package so that it can be used to make a
short slit on an envelope or mail piece to ensure that there is no
inner seal containing a biological hazard. A short slit allows the
collection probe 46 to be inserted into the envelope without
comprising the privacy of the contents.
It should be noted that the sample collection system as depicted in
FIGS. 2 and 3 can be powered by a portable power source or by a
wall outlet. It is possible to collect the air samples at the
sealing location, inside a customer building or at a laboratory
test location. The encapsulation of the mail pieces not only
prevents the contaminants from contaminating the surrounding, but
also preserves the evidence of the mail being contaminated. The
encapsulation provides safety to the employees and the building. It
also maximizes the ability to collect the hazard sample. Collecting
the samples directly from the sealed package minimizes the lost of
evidence. In contrast, opening a mail piece in a chemical hood and
obtaining a sample in the chemical hood may cause some powder or
particles to come out of the mail piece and be vacuumed away,
thereby losing evidence.
It will also be noted that the system described has additional
benefit for the mail handlers. Typically, mail is delivered to a
mail-receiving establishment stacked in one or more standard mail
trays. It is well known that any hazardous materials inside mail
pieces can easily move to the outside of the mail pieces and become
aerosolized when individual mail pieces are handled either manually
or using automated equipment. Such inadvertent aerosolization
creates a hazard for the mail handler and all other people in the
vicinity. It further contaminates the environment, requiring
personnel to abandon the facility, and expensive processes used to
clean the environment. It is desirable to limit the possibility of
such contamination of the mail handlers and the environment even at
the initial arrival location 100. For this reason, it is a further
advantage of this invention to enable the mail handler to handle
only the mail tray without the need to handle the individual mail
pieces. This reduces the possibility of inadvertent contamination
of the environment.
It is a further benefit of this invention that the mail remains in
the original tray, and the mail and the tray remain sealed inside
the container until the tests are completed to determine if
hazardous materials are present. When the mail in the tray is
determined by test to not be contaminated with hazardous
substances, the tray and the mail can be removed from the
container--and processed in the normal fashion without requiring
any further additional steps.
It should be noted that FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate how the suspected
contaminants are collected using a filter chamber 66 or 76 to trap
the particles in the air within the sealed package 30. The trapped
particles on the filter 68 or 78 must be further tested to
determine whether those particles are indeed contaminants. For
example, the filter chamber 66 can be safely transported from the
collecting location 200 or 100 to a remote location 400 for
testing, using a contaminant analysis instrument 410, such as a PCR
analysis machine or other suitable instrument, as shown in FIG. 9.
However, it is also possible to install a contaminant analysis
instrument at the sealing location 100 or the sample collection
location 200. As shown in FIG. 8, the contaminant analysis
instrument 410 is operatively connected to a sealed package 30 to
detect the contaminants directly. As shown, the analysis instrument
410 is connected to the sealed package 30 via an air passage 411
and a seal-sealed coupler 412. The analysis instrument 410 is also
connected to an air pump 90, which draws an air and particle
samples from the sealed package 30 through the analysis
instrument.
Although the invention has been described with respect to a
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes,
omissions and deviations in the form and detail thereof may be made
without departing from the scope of this invention.
* * * * *